Aruba Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega was the man to beat in WorldSSP after the Italian locked out both sessions at Phillip Island on the opening day of testing.
Bulega’s 1’33.527 eventually held court after just under four hours on track - the Supersport field scheduled for two 1 hour 50 minute sessions on Monday - with Ten Kate Yamaha new recruit Stefano Manzi two tenths behind in second.
Local rider Oli Bayliss claimed third after a 1’34.103 best aboard the D34G Panigale V2, with Althea’s Federico Caricasulo recovering from an early clash with Triumph’s Harry Truelove at turn two, to sit fourth ahead of Puccetti’s Can Oncu and former teammate Yari Montella, now with Barni Sparks Ducati.
By the close of play, Truelove was back from the medical centre to circulate as the leading Brit, albeit in 20th position. His 1’38.864 best of the day heading series rookies Tarran Mackenzie, on the MIE Honda, and Vince64 Puccetti’s John McPhee from the back of the pack. Mackenzie was only able to set 13 laps in the opening session after being black flagged with a transponder issue before a further technical struck as the morning action concluded, while McPhee sat out FP1 completely, hitting the track for a mere eight revolutions in the afternoon.
